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Wahoo Kickr 2018 V4 silent version and Core

  • This topic has 57 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 6 years ago by unsponsored.
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  • October 13, 2018 at 6:02 am #29039
    CXR94Di2

    Pictures wont post 

    Here is link with pictures  https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/wahoo-silent-kickr-kickr-core-faults.241225/

     

    Hello there my Silent Kickr V4, and Silent Kickr Core users or pending users. I’ve decided to make public a few niggles which some users have been having with Wahoo’s latest Silent Kickr. These issues have been made public else where, I’m not the first and probably wont be the last.

    The two common mechanical problems are knocking and a drone sound whilst using the turbo.

    Knocking noise

    The knocking usually occurs whilst varying pedalling power, either applying more or relaxing. This is caused by the bolt on the bottom pulley, not being tightened properly. It holds the pulley in place by way of a Woodruff key assembly, the Woodruff key is not an interference fit and has a little free play. If the bolt is loose or works loose then the pulley twists on the shaft causing the clunk.

    See below the location of the bolt. The remedy is to undo the bolt apply a little more blue thread-lock paste and re-tighten properly(hand tight with Allen key, but not excessive).

    Edit, I’ve heard that Wahoo are replacing the Woodruff key for one that is a tighter fit. I’ll look into this and report back

     

    Drone noise

    This I tracked down after my belt was very squeaky after a turbo session and the drone noise appeared. I removed the belt to isolate the fault and found its in the main flywheel assembly. There is nothing you can do to remedy this fault if you’ve ridden the turbo at all from new- its a warranty return to the supplier or Wahoo.

    I believe it’s down to the belt tension being too tight. The belt can have only few few mm slack from new, but once slackened mine worked even upto 12mm of play (measured from cowling)

     

    When you’ve ridden the turbo for a period the pulleys slightly expand and increase further the tension, this then damaged the bearings(flat spotting the balls and race)-once damaged that is it!

    Listen here.

    View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRo19Zn213A

    View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htpvDC4giIc

    Remedy to both problems

    I reckon there is a potential remedy to both problems, if you take immediate steps when your new Silent Kickr arrives.

    Before you ride the kickr!!

    Remove the side cowling, its held on with a variety of small screws and Allen bolts. Its very easy to remove to see the fully belt path and tensioner.

    Remove the centre bolt and apply thread lock and tighten- this cures knocking sounds

    Secondly

    slacken the belt tension off.

    Loosen the the tensioner holding bolt on the plate and then with a 2.5mm Allen key wind anti-clockwise 5 full turns. Dont forget to retighten the lock bolt on the plate.

    You could go more until you feel the belt slip on the bottom pulley- then apply just a little more tension to the point it doesn’t slip. This will relieve the pressure on the flywheel bearings and remove the belt squeak.

    Edit 12 October ’18

    This is my turbo now after belt tension has been reduced. The noise is still there but much reduced .
    View: https://youtu.be/ETxvT9pG7SU

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  • February 16, 2019 at 9:13 am #928929
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    CXR94Di2

    JimD666 wrote:

    JimD666 wrote:
    After 4 months the knocking has raised it’s ugly head on ours. Now to decided whether to try and fix it or return under warranty. Don’t really want to be without the trainer

     

    It is literally a 15 min job,(3 parts) if you’re practical and have some bike tools.  You need a range of Allen keys, screwdrivers and socket set.  Also a little thread lock(halfords or motor factors)

     

    Remove cover, Slacken off bolt(Yellow arrow),

    then undo this bolt- just to slacken belt off  Red arrow(count how many turns you unwind) ,

    remove yellow bolt and take off tensioner assy.

     

     

    remove bolt on pulley, remove pulley, Woodruff key, clean area if contaminated (brake/alcohol cleaner).  Fit new parts, add thread lock paste to threads.  You can also put some on the Woodruff key too.  Re-assemble, wind on the same amount of turns you took off.  replace cover- job done!

    February 16, 2019 at 8:31 am #928927
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    Anonymous

    After 4 months the knocking
    After 4 months the knocking has raised it’s ugly head on ours.
    Now to decide whether to try and fix it or return under warranty. Don’t really want to be without the trainer

    February 8, 2019 at 5:54 pm #928925
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    ibr17xvii
    CXR94Di2 wrote:
    Was the noise different before the Woodruff key and bolt change?   

     

    Keep an eye on it for further noises.  

    I’ve never had any problems with any other noise apart from the knocking on both the units I’ve had. Everything was fine until the knocking noise started   As soon as I backed off the belt tension it improved straight away. 

    TBH I think I’m bordering on paranoia now, any little click or sound I’m wondering if it should be doing it. I spend more time listening for noises than concentrating on my ride on Zwift!

    If it starts again it’s going back. As much as I love Wahoo products & have a bunch of them I’m not putting up with messing about with an item that has a RRP of £1k. It should be perfect straight from the box. 

    February 8, 2019 at 4:31 pm #928923
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    CXR94Di2

    Was the noise different

    Was the noise different before the Woodruff key and bolt change?   

     

    Keep an eye on it for further noises.  

    February 8, 2019 at 2:21 pm #928921
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    ibr17xvii

    To answer my own question it

    To answer my own question it looks like the belt tension was too tight.

    Against my better judgement I decided to open it up on the basis that it was broke already so couldn’t make it any worse.

    After a few hours faffing around with it I reckon that contrary to the Wahoo instructions when you replace the Woodruff key as it is stronger than the old one the belt doesn’t need to be as tight.

    Loosened it off & seems a lot better now.

    Will kepp my eye on it as still not 100% happy.

    February 7, 2019 at 4:15 pm #928919
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    ibr17xvii

    Got my Kickr back & now it’s

    Got my Kickr back & now it’s doing this which doesn’t sound right to me:

    https://youtu.be/Oz9fOh82Xl0

    Anyone else had this?

    Opinions please.

     

    February 6, 2019 at 12:13 pm #928917
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    ibr17xvii
    CXR94Di2 wrote:
    ibr17xvii wrote:
    CXR94Di2 wrote:
    ibr17xvii wrote:
    My 2nd Kickr has now developed the knocking noise after 1000k. I was provided the replacement washer, key & bolt from Wahoo FOC with the new unit but haven’t used them as it was fine up til this point.

    For anyone that has done the repair themselves did that fix it? Hesitant to start messing around with it if it doesn’t sort it & TBH don’t see why I should have to anyway.

    The instructions go on about the belt & allsorts of other things, can’t I just replace the shipped bolt with the new one & leave the rest?

    Tempted just to return it, get a refund & get a Neo or Neo 2.

     

    A clunking noise can be cause mostly by a loose fitting Woodruff key and Bolt.  The bolt in the kit is black hex head, the problem setup had a allen head chrome colour.  The problem is fitting the Woodruff key without roving the belt and pulley.   Actually my first repair, I used extra thread lock and just tightened it up a bit more . This stopped the clunk.  

     

    I too have moved onto a Neo2 now.  

    Does the new key fix it permanently in your experience?

    Don’t mind the repair if that will do the trick, I’m just wary of it failing again down the line probably out of warranty.

     

    If its a clunking sound, then yes it will fix it.  Regarding issues down the line. 

    The simple way to know how much tension to re apply to the belt after removal.  When you unwind the long thin tension bolt, count how many turns you undo it, to be able to remove belt. Then wind on the same turns to tighten.

     

    The kickrs seem to be failing within a few months of being new.  The other issues are drone sound, precursor to vibration and squealing again associated with bearing wear.    

     

    I read a post of a new Kickr 18 owner, who suffered vibration, he sent his flywheel to a professional turbine/ motor balancing company, who did a dynamic balance.  They removed a further 9 grams from the flywheel.  He said it transformed the Kickr. 

    The problem, it cost him $600 to have it balanced !!

    That’s mental! No way I’d be paying that.

    Been “fortunate” to only suffer from the knocking sound on both my units I’ve had so hoping for the best but probably expecting the worst. I’ve taken the trainer to be fixed today as I didn’t fancy doing it so hoping it will be fixed & that’s the end of it.

    Still brought it to the attention of Wahoo to protect myself if it does go pear shaped later on which if it does I’ll be getting a refund & buying something else, probably a Neo or Neo 2.

    Thank for your help.

    February 6, 2019 at 10:04 am #928915
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    CXR94Di2
    ibr17xvii wrote:
    CXR94Di2 wrote:
    ibr17xvii wrote:
    My 2nd Kickr has now developed the knocking noise after 1000k. I was provided the replacement washer, key & bolt from Wahoo FOC with the new unit but haven’t used them as it was fine up til this point.

    For anyone that has done the repair themselves did that fix it? Hesitant to start messing around with it if it doesn’t sort it & TBH don’t see why I should have to anyway.

    The instructions go on about the belt & allsorts of other things, can’t I just replace the shipped bolt with the new one & leave the rest?

    Tempted just to return it, get a refund & get a Neo or Neo 2.

     

    A clunking noise can be cause mostly by a loose fitting Woodruff key and Bolt.  The bolt in the kit is black hex head, the problem setup had a allen head chrome colour.  The problem is fitting the Woodruff key without roving the belt and pulley.   Actually my first repair, I used extra thread lock and just tightened it up a bit more . This stopped the clunk.  

     

    I too have moved onto a Neo2 now.  

    Does the new key fix it permanently in your experience?

    Don’t mind the repair if that will do the trick, I’m just wary of it failing again down the line probably out of warranty.

     

    If its a clunking sound, then yes it will fix it.  Regarding issues down the line. 

    The simple way to know how much tension to re apply to the belt after removal.  When you unwind the long thin tension bolt, count how many turns you undo it, to be able to remove belt. Then wind on the same turns to tighten.

     

    The kickrs seem to be failing within a few months of being new.  The other issues are drone sound, precursor to vibration and squealing again associated with bearing wear.    

     

    I read a post of a new Kickr 18 owner, who suffered vibration, he sent his flywheel to a professional turbine/ motor balancing company, who did a dynamic balance.  They removed a further 9 grams from the flywheel.  He said it transformed the Kickr. 

    The problem, it cost him $600 to have it balanced !!

    February 6, 2019 at 9:15 am #928913
    0
    ibr17xvii
    CXR94Di2 wrote:
    ibr17xvii wrote:
    My 2nd Kickr has now developed the knocking noise after 1000k. I was provided the replacement washer, key & bolt from Wahoo FOC with the new unit but haven’t used them as it was fine up til this point.

    For anyone that has done the repair themselves did that fix it? Hesitant to start messing around with it if it doesn’t sort it & TBH don’t see why I should have to anyway.

    The instructions go on about the belt & allsorts of other things, can’t I just replace the shipped bolt with the new one & leave the rest?

    Tempted just to return it, get a refund & get a Neo or Neo 2.

     

    A clunking noise can be cause mostly by a loose fitting Woodruff key and Bolt.  The bolt in the kit is black hex head, the problem setup had a allen head chrome colour.  The problem is fitting the Woodruff key without roving the belt and pulley.   Actually my first repair, I used extra thread lock and just tightened it up a bit more . This stopped the clunk.  

     

    I too have moved onto a Neo2 now.  

    Does the new key fix it permanently in your experience?

    Don’t mind the repair if that will do the trick, I’m just wary of it failing again down the line probably out of warranty.

    February 5, 2019 at 10:16 pm #928911
    0
    CXR94Di2
    ibr17xvii wrote:
    My 2nd Kickr has now developed the knocking noise after 1000k. I was provided the replacement washer, key & bolt from Wahoo FOC with the new unit but haven’t used them as it was fine up til this point.

    For anyone that has done the repair themselves did that fix it? Hesitant to start messing around with it if it doesn’t sort it & TBH don’t see why I should have to anyway.

    The instructions go on about the belt & allsorts of other things, can’t I just replace the shipped bolt with the new one & leave the rest?

    Tempted just to return it, get a refund & get a Neo or Neo 2.

     

    A clunking noise can be cause mostly by a loose fitting Woodruff key and Bolt.  The bolt in the kit is black hex head, the problem setup had a allen head chrome colour.  The problem is fitting the Woodruff key without roving the belt and pulley.   Actually my first repair, I used extra thread lock and just tightened it up a bit more . This stopped the clunk.  

     

    I too have moved onto a Neo2 now.  

    February 5, 2019 at 11:52 am #928909
    0
    ibr17xvii

    My 2nd Kickr has now

    My 2nd Kickr has now developed the knocking noise after 1000k. I was provided the replacement washer, key & bolt from Wahoo FOC with the new unit but haven’t used them as it was fine up til this point.

    For anyone that has done the repair themselves did that fix it? Hesitant to start messing around with it if it doesn’t sort it & TBH don’t see why I should have to anyway.

    The instructions go on about the belt & allsorts of other things, can’t I just replace the shipped bolt with the new one & leave the rest?

    Tempted just to return it, get a refund & get a Neo or Neo 2.

    November 23, 2018 at 5:04 pm #928907
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    gram82

    I’m now on my 2nd 2018 Wahoo

    I’m now on my 2nd 2018 Wahoo Kickr and this one also needs to go back due to the knocking issue. 

    The first unit was purchased in late September 2018 and was returned after about 2 weeks/ 200km.

    The issue started with a inaudible knocking which you could feel through the pedal on each pedal stroke. This initially appeared at around 300 watts  but after continued use happened at any wattage and became an audible knocking. 

    Wahoo support were pretty good and replaced the unit within a week and i got going again.

    Today around a month/ 200km later the second unit has now developed the same issue.

    This time i’ll be requesting a refund for the unit. Seems to be a design fault or a bad manufacturing run – shame because it is a nice unit. 

    October 30, 2018 at 11:41 am #928905
    0
    ibr17xvii

    Zwiftinsider are saying that

    Zwiftinsider are saying that the new Kickr ships with an aluminium skewer rather than a steel skewer of previous versions.

    Guy on there was sprinting & his bike came off the trainer which is slightly concerning.

    Seems like a blatant cost cutting measure to me.

    October 25, 2018 at 7:23 am #928903
    0
    ibr17xvii
    CXR94Di2 wrote:
    ibr17xvii wrote:
    CXR94Di2 wrote:
    ibr17xvii wrote:
    Wiggle now playing ball a little more & saying they will send a replacement when they get the other back & before it’s “inspected”.

    Undecided about whether to open it up & faff around with it when I get it though.

    On the one hand why should I be faffing around with a £1k product to get it right straight out of the box but on the other it’s pretty straightforward & will stop any long term problems then why not?

    Really hoping the new one works as it should.

     

    Wahoo are sending out a modified key(wider tighter fit), new bolt and washer to those who request it.  The kit is K118.  It basically describes what I suggested to do but with new parts, hopefully clearing the clunk altogether.

     

    You can request it from Wahoo.

    Really good to know mate thanks for that. 

    Will they send it out if you ask just in case you need it or does your trainer have to be faulty 1st?

    Have to say I’m surprised they’re doing this. Normally if you open it up they’d start banging on about your warranty being  invalid. 

     

    I suggest you raise a ticket, supply your serial number after you’ve checked whether the bolt in the bottom pulley is a Allen head.  If its black bolt, then the modification has been done.

    They really didnt have an argument for looking inside the cowling.  They supply belts for customers to change themselves- that involves removing the same cowling.  

     

     

    Contacted Wahoo & they will supply the kit to me even though my trainer is OK initially.

    Cheers for all your help mate.

    October 23, 2018 at 5:40 pm #928901
    0
    ibr17xvii

    Replacement Kickr arrived

    Replacement Kickr arrived yesterday & after quick 20k test seems OK – so far.

    Read that a few people have had probems after 400k so not celebrating just just yet.

    Decided against opening it up to tighten bolts etc, if it does go pear shaped I’ll ask for the kit mentioned above & if that doesn’t work it will go back.

    Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen.

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